Quantitative Ethnomedicinal Study of Indigenous Medicinal Plants Used for Digestive

Quantitative ethnomedicinal study of indigenous medicinal plants used for digestive

disorders of Laspur Valley, Chitral, Northern Pakistan Sher Wali, Hammad Ahmad Jan, Rainer W. Bussmann

Research Key words: Quantitative ethnomedicinal; indigenous medicinal plants; digestive disorders; Laspur valley; Abstract Northern Pakistan Background: The present study was the first one of its own kind conducted in the study area. Throughout the world digestive system diseases and their related Correspondence symptoms are widely prevalent. People of Chitral still heavily rely upon therapeutic plants to cure digestive Sher Wali1, Hammad Ahmad Jan*1, Rainer W. disorders. Bussmann2*

Aim of the study: The present study was conducted 1Department of Botany, Islamia College Peshawar, in order to document the traditional uses of medicinal Pakistan plants for the cure of digestive disorders in Laspur 2Department of Etnnobotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia Valley of Chitral. State University, Tbilisi, Georgia

Methods: Ethnomedicinal data was obtained from *Corresponding author: [email protected] 200 inhabitants of the area through face to face interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. To analyze data quantitatively, Use-Value (UV), Ethnobotany Research & Applications Familiarity-Index (FI), Family Importance Value 18:32 (2019) (FIV), Consensus-Index (CI), and Informant زﯾډﻧﻟ .Consensus Factor indices (ICF) were applied

سﭘ ﻣ ﻧ رظ : pﻧﺳوا ﮫﻌﻟﺎطﻣ د لﭘﺧ لوډ ۍړﻣوﻟ ﮫﺧرﺑ هد ﯥﭼ د ﯥﻌﻟﺎطﻣ ﮫﭘ ﮫﭘ ﯥﻌﻟﺎطﻣ د ﯥﭼ هد ﮫﺧرﺑ ۍړﻣوﻟ لوډ لﭘﺧ د ﮫﻌﻟﺎطﻣ pﻧﺳوا Results: A total of 44 medicinal plants were ﮫﺣﺎﺳ ﯥﮐ هرﺳرﺗ .يږﯾﮐ ﮫﭘ ﮫﻟوÜ یړﻧ ﯥﮐ د ﻲﻣﺿﺎھ مﺗﺳﯾﺳ ﮫﻧوﻣÜﺳﯾﺳ وا documented. The recurring life forms were herbs د ﯥﻐھ دﻧوړا ﯽçﻧ ﮫﭘ ﮫﺧارﭘ ﮫﭼﮐ نوﺗﺷ .يرﻟ د لارﺗﭼ ﮏﻠﺧ ﻻ سوا مھ د shrubs (15.91%) and trees (6.82%). The most ,(75%) ﻌﻣ ﺎ يوﺟﻟ ﻧ ﺑ ﺎ ﺗ ﺎ وﺗ دﺿرﭘ ﯾﮑﺗ ﮫ يوﮐ وñرﺗ د ﻲﻣﺿﺎھ ﻧ وﯾﻏورﺎ ﻣرد ﻠ ﻧ ﮫ .يړﮐو frequently utilized part was the leaves (43.18%). To د ﯥﻌﻟﺎطﻣ :دﺻﻘﻣ pﻧﺳوا ﮫﻌﻟﺎطﻣ د ېد ﻟ ﭘ هرﺎ هرﺳرﺗ هوﺷ ﯥﭼ د لارﺗﭼ د prepare medicine leaves were used unprocessed in رﭘﺳﻻ ﯾو وﻠ ﮫﭘ ﮫﻣﯾﺳ ﯥﮐ د مﺿھ د ﺗﺧا ﺎ وﻧوطﻟ ﻠﻣرد ﯥﻧ ﻟ ﭘ هرﺎ د وﻠﻣرد زﯾدود fresh/dried form, as powder, and decoction, and لورﺎﮐ دﻧﺗﺳﻣ .يړﮐ were usually taken orally. The FI value was led by Coriandrum sativum (0.285). The family Apiaceae ﯾﻣ :ﮫﻧودوﺗ د ﺎﻣ نﯾ ﭘ pﮐﺎ اډ Ü ﺎ د ﯥﻣﯾﺳ د وﮑﻠﺧ ﮫﺧñ د ﺦﻣﺎﺧﻣ وﮐرﻣ وا مﯾﻧ "had the maximum FIV value (46.5). The value of "CI ﻣﺗﺧﺎﺳ ﺎ ﻲﻧ ﺗçوﭘ ﻧ ﻠ وﻧوﮑﯾ ﻟ ﮫ ا ېرﻟ ارﺗ ﮫﺳﻟ .ېوﺷ د ﯥﺑﺳﺎﺣﻣ د ﻌﻣ ﺎﻣوﻠ وﺗ ﻠﺣﺗ لﯾ was highest for Coriandrum sativum. ICF values for ،هرﺎﭘﻟ د تçزرا ،تçزرا د ﯥﻧدﻧژﯾﭘ ،تﺳﻟ د pﻧروﮐ تﯾﻣھا ،تçزرا د (Dysentery, Vomiting and Intestinal Disorders (1.0 وﻣ ا ﻓ تﻘ ﻟ ،تﺳﯾ ا و د ﻌﻣ ﻠ ﻣو ﺎ ﺗ و رﯾﻏ ﻲﻣﺳر ووﮐرﻣ ﻲﮑﻧ ﻧوﺻﺧﺎﺷ ﮫ ﺑطﺗ قﯾ .presented the maximum consensus factor .يوﺷ :ﯥﻠﯾﺎﭘ ﮫﭘ ﻟوÜ هزﯾ ﮫ¢وﺗ 44 لﻣرد يوﺷ ﻧ ﺑ ﺎ ﺗ تﺎ ﺛ تﺑ .يوﺷ د ﻧوژ د ﺑ ﯾ ﺎ ﻲﻠ§ Conclusion: The practice of using therapeutic plants ﮫ•ﺑ د وÜوﺑ (75 )٪ ، ﺑ و Ü و ( 15.91 )٪ ا و و ﯥﻧ ( 6.82 )٪ .ېو رﺗ وﻟوÜ رﯾډ to cure digestive disorders by medicinal plants is still prevalent in the study area. لﺎﻣﻌﺗﺳا يوﺷ ﮫﺧرﺑ ﭘ ﺎ ﻲ• (43.18 )٪ .ېو د وﻠﻣرد وﺗﻣﭼ وﻟوﮐ ﻟ ﭘ هرﺎ د د هرﺎ ﭘ ﻟ وﻟوﮐ وﺗﻣﭼ وﻠﻣرد د

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 2

therapeutic plants of Chitral valley are critically وﯾوﻧ وﭼو وﭼو وﯾوﺷ ﻓ وﻧوﻣرﺎ ﮫﮑﻟ ﭘ ،رډؤﺎ وا يړوñﮐ ﮫﭘ نﺎﺷ رﯾﻏ سﺳورﭘ سﺳورﭘ رﯾﻏ نﺎﺷ ﮫﭘ يړوñﮐ وا ،رډؤﺎ ﭘ ﮫﮑﻟ وﻧوﻣرﺎ ﻓ وﯾوﺷ وﭼو وﭼو وﯾوﻧ required (Ali and Qaiser, 2009). Because verbally يوﺷ لورﺎﮐ ،يوﺷ وا ﺎﻣوﻣﻋ ﮫﭘ ﻔﺷ ﻲھﺎ ﮫ¢وﺗ لﺗﺳﯾﺧا .يوﺷ د يوﻠ¢دﻧژﯾﭘ يوﻠ¢دﻧژﯾﭘ د conveyed information is held especially by the older تﺳﯾﻟ تçزرا د مرډﻧﯾروﮐ مﯾÜﯾﺎﺳ (0.285 ) اوﺧﻟ يرﺷﻣ .یوﺷ د pﻧروﮐ pﻧروﮐ د Apiaceae generation, a large portion of it can vanish easily with رﺗ وﻟوÜ هړوﻟ FIV تçزرا دوﻟرد ( 46.5 .) د "CI " تçزرا تçزرا " .(their passing (Kim et al. 2006; Kim and Song, 2008 د موﻣرډﻧﯾوﮐ مﯾÜﯾﺎﺳ ﻟ ﭘ هرﺎ اروﺧ ړوﻟ .و د ،يرﯾرﺳﯾډ کډﻧﮐ وا ﻲﻧدﻌﻣ ﻲﻧدﻌﻣ وا کډﻧﮐ ،يرﯾرﺳﯾډ د .و ړوﻟ اروﺧ هرﺎ ﭘ ﻟ مﯾÜﯾﺎﺳ موﻣرډﻧﯾوﮐ د The present research aimed at recording the وﯾﻏورﺎﻧ هرﺎﭘﻟ د ICF ﮫﻧوﺗçزرا (1.0 1.0 ) د یرﯾډ اوﻣ تﻘﻓ رﺻﻧﻋ رﺻﻧﻋ تﻘﻓ اوﻣ یرﯾډ د ) ethnomedicinal practices of therapeutic plants to ړو ا ﻧ ېد .يوﮐ cure Digestive Disorders (DD) in Laspur Valley, and Background to assess the use of plant species in light of the For basic healthcare, almost 80% of the human literature review. In particular, we tried to answer the population depends upon therapeutic plants (WHO, following questions: (i) which plant species are used 2002; Sarma et al. 2012). Plant based remedies are for DDs in Laspur Valley (ii) what DDs are cured with also popular in the West, because they are assumed the maximum amount of therapeutic species? (iii) are to have negligible or no negative effects if directed certain families of plants more or less utilized than appropriately (Jordan et al. 2010). Other than anticipated in DDs? and (iv) what types of illnesses therapeutic use, plants are progressively utilized as are ordinarily cured with the help of which parts of a part of beauty care products and nutraceuticals plant, plant species, families and administration (Rokaya et al. 2014). modes? Natural remedies were found to be often a viable option to treat an extensive variety of illnesses Materials and Methods (Rokaya et al. 2014), including digestive ailments Introduction to the study area (Heinrich et al. 1992; Manandhar, 2002; Rokaya et Laspur valley is one of the most beautiful valleys of al. 2014; Street and Prinsloo, 2013). Individuals Chitral. It is located to the north-east of Chitral town, living in the mountainous regions of Pakistan utilize at a distance of 125 km. The total length of the valley plants for numerous reasons, for example, as is around 104 km, 57 km of which are above the medicines, protection, timber, firewood, kindling, village of Laspur, representing an uncultivated tract. sustenance and feed, housing, etc. (Hussain et al. According to the census 2017 the population is 1996). Throughout the world Digestive diseases and approximately 9500 people distributed in 1450 their related symptoms are very widespread. Nearly houses and the literacy rate is more than 65%. 8–10% of the population is affected even in the Laspur valley lies in between latitude 36°1'56.3" N, developed world. The primary reasons are poverty, 72°32'26.8" E (Fig. 1). The elevation of Laspur valley changes in dietary patterns, and water pollution, is around 2400m. Temperature hardly exceeds the among others (Mc Michael 2006; Molares and Ladio, limit of 30ºC and the Minimum temperature is -8ºC. 2009). Laspur borders with Gilgit in the north, Mastuj in the The utilization of therapeutic plants for disorders of south, and high snowy mountains separate it from digestive system is common. Strikingly, a Swat in the west. Laspur valley harbors six main characteristic of these plants is their specific odor or villages namely Balim, Sor-Laspur, Harchin, Broke, flavor: they are typically bitter, fragrant, and also Raman and Gasht. The most beautiful and attractive astringent. These organoleptic qualities originate village among them is Balim. Shandur, the highest from secondary metabolites, for example, terpenoids polo ground of the world, is only 6 km away, in the and their derivates (Molares and Ladio, 2009), and meadow area of Laspur, a flat piece of land situated tannins or other chemical components (Heinrich et 3725m above sea level. There are 5 colleges, 18 al. 1992). private and 16 government middle and high schools These qualities can be precious memory aids with in Laspur valley (www.chitraltoday.net). regards to the cultural transference of this ethnomedicinal data (Molares and Ladio, 2009). Literature review Information on plant use is normally transmitted Different online data bases (ISI Web of Science, orally, including in Pakistan (Haq, 1983; Khan and MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Zaidi, 1991; Haq and Hussain, 1993; Hussain et al. Scholar) were searched using the terms "therapeutic 1996; Shinwari and Khan, 2000; Gilani et al. 2001; plants", "medicinal plants", "gastrointestinal", Ahmad et al. 2009; Qureshi et al. 2009; Abbasi et al. "digestive disorders", "diarrhea", "dysentery", 2013; Rahman et al. 2016). People of Chitral still "stomach" and "Chitral, Pakistan" before beginning heavily rely upon therapeutic plants for majority of the field work. The term "Chitral, Pakistan'' was their illnesses, thus a loss of these plant assets employed to constrain the topographical extent of the would hamper the current healthcare system in the search. The exactness of species names given in area. Actions for the protection especially of this work depend upon that from the original bases.

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 3

But, we confirmed presently recognized name(s) in documented (Baral and Kurmi, 2006; Rokaya et al. online classification sources 2014). (http://www.theplantlist.org) and To get phytochemical or pharmacological data about (http://www.tropicos.org/project/Pakistan). Available respective therapeutic plants species we also used vernacular names were also recorded. Habitat and the above stated databases. origin (wild/developed) of each plant species was

Fig. 1. Map of the study area (www.mapcarta.com)

Collection of ethnomedicinal data Plant sampling and identification The ethnomedicinal field survey was completed in Specimens of plants were collected and identified 2014-2015 to record the data about therapeutic through standard taxonomic techniques and plants utilized by the local population. Data was scientific names were confirmed online through gathered through semi-structured interviews (http://www.tropicos.org/extend/Pakistan and "The (Akerreta et al. 2007). All interviews were conducted Plant List" (http://www.theplantlist.org/). The after receiving prior informed consent from the specimens were submitted to the Herbarium of participants. Two hundred and eight (200) Department of Botany, Islamia College Peshawar, participants 136 men including 8 herbalists (68%) Pakistan. and 64 (32%) women were interviewed. This random sample was 2.105% of the population of the studied Data analysis community. They were asked about information on Quantitative analysis of data plants utilized against Digestive Disorders (DDs), The ethnomedicinal data gathered was analyzed folk names, plant parts utilized and the preparation statistically. The species were assembled into mode. All the informants and expert herbalists were classes of diseases in view of emic data gathered chosen randomly, and no appointments were from informants. The aim was to document all the scheduled before the visits. data as it was given by the informants to us. A quantitative investigation was completed with the

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 4 specific goal to assess the significance of those *) = '/+ × 100 species in the culture of the elderly individuals of the Where area. This sort of investigation, the first of its kind in n = Number of respondents citing DDs species this area, has been made using the accompanying N = Total number of informants indices: Results and discussion Use Value (UV) Socio-demographic evidence In order to calculate the relative importance of native A total of 200 participants were interviewed and the medicinally important plant species for DDs Use participants’ age ranged from 20-80 years. A total of Value (UV) (Phillips et al. 1994) a quantitative 136 were men (68%) and 64 women (32%) (Table method was applied. UV is calculated as: 1). The prevalence of men was related to gender issues, i.e. that women cannot talk with male !" = Σ!%/' strangers (the interviewer). This certainly had some influence on the outcomes of our work in the form of Ui = Total number of used records/species a barrier in the transfer of knowledge documentation n = Sum of respondents questioned for a particular due to which we did not document some precious medicinal plant. knowledge of medicinal plants known to women. The vast majority of the participants were farmers or Familiarity Index (FI) shepherds, still active or retired, with a small number To find out the popularity of therapeutic plant among of workers, shopkeepers, Government servants, the folk communities a relative indicator Familiarity housewives and some folk herbalists participating. A Index (FI) was used (Tabuti et al. 2004; Kidane et al. large portion of the respondents had not finished 2014a): secondary school (Fig. 2). () = (*/+

FC = Particular species’ frequency stated as remedy N = Sum of informants take part in survey 14%5.5% 37.5% Illiterate Family Importance Value (FIV) To know the importance and familiarity of a botanical Grade 1-5 family, the importance value (FIV) was applied Grade 6-10 (Kayani et al. 2014), using the following formula: Grade 11-14 ()" = (*(-./%01)/+ × 100 17% 26% 14 and above FC = Informants number citing the family N = Sum of respondents take part in this survey

Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) In order to elucidate the agreement between use of Fig. 2. Percentage of participants on the basis of education plants for different disease groups and informants of the study area the Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) The most noteworthy cite frequency of remedial was calculated following (Trotter and Logan, 1986; species utilized for DDs were documented from Heinrich et al. 1998; Kayani et al. 2015; Butt et al. individuals with age range 50-80 years, while little 2015): data was acquired from younger as well as older )*( = +67 − +9/+67 − 1 respondents (Table 1, Fig. 3). In the 1st group

(younger respondents), this may be because of Nur = Total number of reports of the use category in progressed and dynamic lack of engagement in the inquiry ethics of "folk culture" and "rural advancement". In Nt = Total number of species used in this category the 2nd case (older respondents), the lack of

information was based on a certain reluctance / Consensus index (CI) objective difficulties in contributing in interviews. To find out the percentage of informants in the area Most reports were gotten from the rural groups when with folk medicinal knowledge of medicinal plant contrasted with urban groups, similar to other studies species the Consensus index (CI) was (Rahman et (Giday et al. 2009). al. 2016).

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 5

Table 1. Demographic description of the participants preferred mostly herbs because of their potency and fast regeneration, as compared to other life forms. Total participants Percentage% The high percentage of herbs was also reported in some other studies (Upadhyay et al. 2007; Male 136 68 Upadhyay et al. 2010; Megersa et al. 2013). Female 64 32 Among the plant families used, the most noteworthy

Age Group in terms of number of species reported were 20-40 43 21.5 Apiaceae (7 sp.), Asteraceae (6 sp.), Poaceae and 41-60 84 42 Rosaceae (5 sp. each), and Lamiaceae (3 sp.) (Table 4 and Fig. 6), which was similar to the work of 61-80 62 31 (Bibi et al. 2014; Tareen et al. 2016). The 81-above 11 5.5 pharmacological significance of therapeutic plant Education Level families FIV is given in Fig. 7. Family Apiaceae had Illiterate 75 37.5 the peak (FIV) value (46.5), tailed by Asteraceae Grade 1-5 52 26 (37.5), Rosaceae (31), Lamiaceae (30.5) and Poaceae (29) (Table 4). Medicinal plant species of Grade 6-10 34 17 family Apiaceae, Asteraceae and Rosaceae are Grade 11-14 28 14 cited as important in many pharmacological works 14 and above 11 5.5 (e.g. Martin and Briones, 1999; Shad et al. 2013; Kayani et al. 2014; Tareen et al. 2016).

5.5% Plant-parts used, preparation method and 31% 21.5% administration mode of therapeutic plants used 20-40 for DDs In order to prepare various folk medicines, different 41-60 parts of the plants were used, such as bark, flower, 61-80 fruit, leaves, root, seed, and stem. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (43.18%) 42% 81-above tailed by seeds (29.54%), fruit (22.72%) and flower (15.9%) (Fig. 8). The common use of leaves has been also reported by Saikia et al, (2006), Dogan et al. (2013), Tareen et al, (2016), and Shah and Rahim (2017) likewise fruit and seeds were commonly used Fig. 3. Age distribution of participants as reported by Rokaya et al. (2010) and Tareen et al. (2016) for the cure of DDs. Leaves are well-known Diversity of medicinal plants used for DDs for the synthesis of numerous active ingredients and In study area 44 species used to treat DDs were pharmacologically more active than some other part documented and the therapeutic plant species (Rokaya et al. 2014; Ahmad et al. 2016; Shah and belonged to 21 families (Table 2). The documented Rahim 2017). Furthermore, the utilization of leaves therapeutic plants used for DDs were categorized is less deleterious to the survival of a plant species into twelve different DDs classes (Table 3 and Fig. as compared to the use of other parts (e.g. roots, 4). Stomachic was the ailment cured through the stem, bark), or the use of entire plants (Abebe and maximum number of medicinal plant species (18), Ayehu 1993; Giday et al, 2003; Zheng and Xing tailed by constipation (6) and laxative (5). In table 3 2009). Moreover, leaves are collected more easily some important local recipes are listed. These were than other parts of plants (Giday et al. 2009). more commonly used recipes of the area. Different plant parts were used direct/unprocessed, decoction, juice, powdered or any other form along Medicinal plants used for DDs presented a diversity with dietary items. Unprocessed leaves in fresh/dried of growth forms (Fig. 5). Herbs were most common form (34.09%) were most commonly used for many (75%), followed by shrubs (15.91%), and trees DDs, tailed by powder (27.27%), decoction (18.18%) (6.82%), similar to other studies (Giday et al. 2003; and cooked (15.91%) (Fig. 9). Ayyanar and Ignacimuthub, 2005; Uniyal et al. 2006; Mesfin et al. 2012). Participants indicated that they

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 6

Table. 2. Qualitative and quantitative ethno-medicinal data of therapeutic plants utilized for digestive disorders by the people of Laspur Valley.

Family/Botanical Name (Voucher No.) Part/s Diseases cured Administration Participants UV FI CI Nr Na IAR CAI used AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus cruentus L. (LS-235) Leaves Laxative Cooked 13 0.076 0.065 + 13 1 1 6.5 APIACEAE Carum carvi L. (LS-240) Seeds Stomachic Herbal tea 22 0.045 0.11 ++ 22 1 1 11 Carum copticum L. (LS-241) Leaves, Diarrhea Decoction 18 0.055 0.09 + 18 1 1 9 Flower & Seeds Coriandrum sativum L. (LS-245) Seeds & Carminative Powder 57 0.017 0.285 +++ 57 1 1 28.5 Leaves Cuminum cyminum L. (LS-247) Seeds & Appetizer Cooked 19 0.052 0.095 + 19 1 1 9.5 Leaves Daucus carota L. (LS-248) Seeds Stomachic Herbal tea 33 0.030 0.165 ++ 33 1 1 16.5 Ferula narthex L. (LS-250) Stem Stomachic Direct 14 0.071 0.07 + 14 1 1 7 Foiniculum vulgare Mill. (LS-251) Seeds & Stomachic Direct 24 0.041 0.12 ++ 24 1 1 12 Leaves ASTERACEAE Artemisia absinthium L. (LS-236) Seeds Stomachic Powder 17 0.058 0.085 + 17 1 1 8.5 Artemisia bigelovii A. Gray (LS-237) Leaves & Gastric problem & Powder 23 0.086 0.115 ++ 23 2 0.95 10.925 Flowers Stomachic Cichorium intybus L. (LS-243) Roots Vomiting Decoction 29 0.034 0.145 ++ 29 1 1 14.5 Lactuca sativa L. (LS-254) Leaves Appetizer Direct 43 0.023 0.215 ++ 43 1 1 21.5 Matricaria chamomilla L. (LS-258) Flowers Stomachic & Decoction 22 0.091 0.11 ++ 22 2 0.95 10.45 indigestion Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg (LS-274) Leaves Constipation Cooked 29 0.034 0.145 ++ 29 1 1 14.5 BERBERIDACEAE Berberis vulgaris L. (LS-238) Leaves & Dyspepsia Decoction 54 0.018 0.27 +++ 54 1 1 27 Fruit BRASSICACEAE Lepidium ruderale L. (LS-255) Leaves Dyspepsia Direct 11 0.090 0.055 + 11 1 1 5.5 Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton (LS-263) Leaves Dyspepsia Cooked 15 0.066 0.075 + 15 1 1 7.5

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 7

CAPPARIDACEAE Capparis spinosa L. (LS-239) Flowers Stomachic Decoction 16 0.062 0.08 + 16 1 1 8 CARYOPHYLLACEAE Lepyrodiclis holosteoides (C.A.Mey.) (LS-256) Leaves Laxative Direct 15 0.066 0.075 + 15 1 1 7.5 CHENOPODIACEAE Chenopodium album L. (LS-242) Leaves Laxative Cooked 36 0.027 0.18 ++ 36 1 1 18 CONVOLVULACEAE Convolvulus arvensis L. (LS-244) Leaves Constipation Cooked 32 0.031 0.16 ++ 32 1 1 16 CUCURBITACEAE Cucumis sativus L. (LS-246) Fruit Constipation Direct 25 0.040 0.125 ++ 25 1 1 12.5 EPHEDRACEAE Ephedra gerardiana Wallich ex C.A. Meyer (LS-249) Whole Gastric problem Decoction 31 0.032 0.155 ++ 31 1 1 15.5 plant LAMIACEAE Mentha arvensis L. (LS-259) Leaves Stomachic Direct, Powder 38 0.026 0.19 ++ 38 1 1 19 Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. (LS-260) Leaves Stomachic Direct, Powder 43 0.023 0.215 ++ 43 1 1 21.5 Mentha spicata L. (LS-261) Leaves & Stomachic, Direct, Cooked 53 0.056 0.265 +++ 53 3 0.96 25.44 flowers appetizer & dyspepsia MALVACEAE Abelmoschus esculentus L. (LS-234) Fruit Dysentery Direct 21 0.047 0.105 + 21 1 1 10.5 Malva neglecta Wallr. (LS-257) Leaves Constipation Decoction 19 0.052 0.095 + 19 1 1 9.5 MORACEAE Morus nigra L. (LS-262) Fruit Dyspepsia Direct 23 0.043 0.115 ++ 23 1 1 11.5 PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago major L. (LS-266) Seeds Constipation & Direct 37 0.054 0.185 ++ 37 2 0.97 17.945 diarrhea POACAE Hordeum distichon L. (LS-252) Seeds Appetizer Powder 17 0.058 0.085 + 17 1 1 8.5 Hordeum vulgare L. (LS-253) Seeds Stomachic & Powder 38 0.052 0.19 ++ 38 2 0.97 18.43 indigestion Panicum miliaceum L. (LS-264) Seeds Stomachic Powder 16 0.062 0.08 + 16 1 1 8 Pennisetum typhoideum (Burm. f.) Stapf (LS-265) Seeds Stomachic Powder 8 0.125 0.04 + 8 1 1 4 Zea mays L. (LS-277) Seeds Stomachic Powder 47 0.021 0.235 ++ 47 1 1 23.5

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 8

POLYGONACEAE Rumex longifolius DC. (LS-272) Leaves Laxative Paste 11 0.090 0.055 + 11 1 1 5.5 ROSACEAE Prunus armeniaca L. (LS-267) Fruit Constipation Syrup 34 0.029 0.17 ++ 34 1 1 17 Pyrus malus L. (LS-268) Fruit Stomachic Direct 36 0.027 0.18 ++ 36 1 1 18 Rosa alba L. (LS-269) Flower Stomachic Juice 22 0.045 0.11 ++ 22 1 1 11 Rosa webbiana Wall ex. Royle. (LS-270) Flower Stomachic Herbal tea 24 0.041 0.12 ++ 24 1 1 12 Rubus fruticosus L. sens.str. (LS-271) Fruit Carminative, Direct, powder 27 0.111 0.135 ++ 27 3 0.92 12.42 diarrhea & looseness of intestine SOLANACEAE Solanum nigrum L. (LS-273) Fruit Stomachic Powder 37 0.027 0.185 ++ 37 1 1 18.5 VIOLACEAE Viola rupestris F.W. Schmidt. (LS-275) Flowers Purgative Decoction 33 0.047 0.105 ++ 33 2 0.97 10.18 VITACEAE Vitis vinifera L. (LS-276) Fruit Gastric problem Direct 13 0.076 0.065 + 13 1 1 6.5

Use Value=UV Familiarity Index=FI Consensus Index=CI Informant Agreement Ratio=IAR Cultural Agreement Index=CAI

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Table 3. Listing some important folk herbal recipes

Plant Name Herbal Recipes Amaranthus cruentus L. Young leaves are plucked, washed and cooked; these cooked leaves are used as laxative. Artemisia bigelovii A. Gray Leaves and inflorescence are ground to make powder; this is used for gastric problems and stomachache. Artemisia absinthium L. One teaspoon full of powdered seeds is taken with a glass of water to cure abdominal pain. Berberis vulgaris L. Leaves and fruits are collected, juice is extracted and filtered, which can be taken orally for the treatment of dyspepsia. Capparis spinosa L. Floral buds are collected, dried, mashed with wheat flour and cooked to prepare aqueous extract called Kavirough, which is efficient for abdominal pain. Carum carvi L. Seeds are boiled in water to make a herbal tea, which is used for stomachache. Carum copticum L. The aromatic seeds, leaves and flowers are boiled in milk with a little salt and given to the patients of diarrhea Cichorium intybus L. The root of this plant is dug out, washed, chopped and boiled with water. This aqueous extract is useful for vomiting. Chenopodium album L. Young leaves are plucked washed and cooked; these cooked leaves are used as laxative and to cure constipation. Coriandrum sativum L. The dried seeds and leaves are powdered and taken with water about half teaspoon as a carminative after meal. Convolvulus arvensis L. The fresh leaves are collected and boiled in water and chopped. The paste is mixed with tomato, onion, ginger, garlic, salt (as required) and then fried in oil. This gravy is used for curing constipation. The doze is usually 2-3 times a day. Daucus carota L. The dried 10-15 seeds are boiled in water to form herbal tea; this tea is used for the cure of abdominal pain. Ephedra gerardiana Wallich ex C. Boiled in water, crushed and aqueous extract is obtained, called Gholja in A. Meyer Khowar language, which is used to treat gastric problem. Ferula narthex L. Young stems are cut which result in oozing of milky exudates. This exudate solidifies after one day and is locally called Hing, which is used against toothache, stomachache. Foeniculum vulgare L. Seeds and fresh leaves are chewed for abdominal pain. Hordeum vulgare L. The seeds are ground to make powder; this powder is used for bread making, which is recommended for stomachache and indigestion. Matricaria camomilla L. The flower heads of this plant are collected, dried, boiled in water and the decoction is given to the patients with abdominal pain and indigestion. Mentha spicata L. The leaves and flowers meshed with wheat flour are cooked to prepare Suspruough, which is eaten as appetizer and to cures dyspepsia, stomach pain. Pennisetum typhoideum (Burm. The seeds are ground to form powder and then bread is made from it. This is f.) Stapf used to treat stomachache. Plantago major L. About one teaspoon seeds are soaked in one cup water or milk, his is used 3-4 times a day to treat constipation and diarrhea. Prunus armeniaca L. The ripe fruits are dried, soaked in water and sweet syrup is obtained, this syrup is used for constipation. Rosa webbiana Wall ex. Royle. The petals of these plants are collected, petals are dried, crushed and powdered; this powder in one teaspoon is poured into tea, due to which herbal tea is made for stomachache. Rumex longifolius DC. The fresh leaves are collected, boiled, cut, and the past are mixed with tomato, onion, ginger, garlic, salt (as required) and then fried in oil, this gravy is used as laxative when eaten as vegetable. Viola rupestris F.W. Schmidt. Flowers are dried and powdered and boiled in water to make decoction this is used as astringent (Kabaz) and purgative (dast awar).

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1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 ICF 0

Diarrhea Laxative Appetizer DysenteryDyspepsia Vomiting Carminative Constipation Stomachache Gastric problem Intestinal Disorders

Fig. 4. Digestive disorders on the basis of Informant Consensus Factor (ICF)

6.82% 2.73% 15.91%

Climber Herb Shrub Tree

75%

Fig. 5. Percentage of life forms of medicinal plants

8 7 Number of Species 7 6 6 5 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

Poaceae Apiaceae Rosaceae ViolaceaeVitaceae Asteraceae LamiaceaeMalvaceaeMoracaeae Solanaceae Brassicaceae Ephedraceae Polygonaceae BerberidaceaeCapparidaceae Cucarbitaceae Plantaginaceae Amaranthaceae CaryophyllaceaeChenopodiaceaConvolvulaceae

Fig. 6. Number of species in each family

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60 FIV 50 40 30 20 10 0 Poaceae Vitaceae Rosaceae Violaceae Apiaceae Lamiaceae Malvaceae Asteraceae Moracaeae Solanaceae Brassicaceae Ephedraceae Polygonaceae Cucarbitaceae Berberidaceae Capparidaceae Plantaginaceae Chenopodiacea Convolvulaceae Amaranthaceae Caryophyllaceae

Fig. 7. Family Importance Value (FIV) based on participant's answers

2.27% 15.9% 22.72%

4.54% Bark Flower Leaves Roots Seed Stem

29.54% Fruit 43.18% 2.27%

Fig. 8. Plant parts used for medicinal purposes

Syrup Powder Paste Juice Herbal tea Unprocessed/Direct Decoction Cooked

0 10 20 30 40

Fig. 9. Modes of preparation of medicinal plants

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Familiarity Index and Use value of medicinal use category). Least values of FI were found for plant species for DDs Pennisetum typhoideum (0.04, with 8 citations and All medicinal plant species used for DDs single use report), Rumex longifolius and Lepidium documented through interviews are listed in Table 2. ruderale (0.05, 11 use reports and one single use Statistical tools were applied to quantitatively category) (Table 3 and Fig. 10). analyze the ethnomedicinal data about DDs. Use Value (UV) Familiarity Index (FI) It was noted that the use values of therapeutic plants The familiarity index (FI) was used to determine the fluctuated from 0.017-0.125 (Table 2 and Fig. 11). general practicality of the cited medicinal plant in the The therapeutic plants with highest use values were viewpoint of DDs (Tabuti et al. 2004; Hoffman and Pennisetum typhoideum (0.125), Rubus fruticosus Gallaher, 2007; Kidane et al. 2014). FI values were (0.111), and Matricaria chamomilla (0.091). On the led by Coriandrum sativum (0.285, 57 citations and other hand, therapeutic plants with least use values 1 use category), followed by Berberis vulgaris (0.27), were Coriandrum sativum (0.017), Berberis vulgaris Mentha spicata (0.265, with 53 citations and 3 use (0.018), and Zea mays (0.021). categories), Zea mays L. (0.235, 47 citations and 1

0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 Lepyrodiclis… Carumcarvi Morus nigra Morus Vitis vinifera Vitis Pyrus mallus Pyrus Abelmoschus… Lactuca sativa Lactuca Daucus carota Daucus Ferulanarthex Rosa webbiana Rosa Plantago major Plantago Cucumissativus Berberis vulgaris Berberis Mentha longifolia Mentha Rumex longifolius Rumex Hordeum Hordeum distichon Panicum miliaceum Panicum Taraxacumofficinale Convolvulusarvensis Chenopodium album Matricaria camomilla Matricaria Artimesiaabsinthium Fig. 10. Familiarity index (FI) of therapeutically valuable plants

0.14 0.12 0.1 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0 Zea mays Rosa albaRosa Morus nigra Morus Carum carvi Carum Vitisvinifera Pyrusmallus Violarupestris Lactuca sativa Lactuca Daucus carota Daucus Ferula narthex Malva neglecta Malva Plantagomajor Mentha spicata Mentha Rosa webbiana Rosa Carum copticum Carum Cucumissativus Solanumnigrum Mentha arvensis Mentha Berberisvulgaris Rubus fruticosus Mentha longifolia Mentha Hordeum vulgare Hordeum Capparis Capparis spinosa Rumexlongifolius Chicorium intybus Chicorium Lepidium ruderale Lepidium Artemisiabigelovii Prunusarmeniaca Hordeum distichon Hordeum Foiniculum vulgare Cuminumcyminum Panicummiliaceum Ephedragerardiana Coriandrum sativum Coriandrum Nasturtium officinale Nasturtium Matricaria camomilla Matricaria Chenopodiumalbum Taraxacum officinale Artimesiaabsinthium Convolvulusarvensis Amaranthuscruentus Pennisetumtyphoideum Abelmoschusesculentus Lepyrodiclis holosteoides Lepyrodiclis

Fig. 11. Use value (UV) of therapeutically valuable plants

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Table. 4. Family importance value of medicinally constipation (purgative,, Sher et al. 2011; purgative, important families Adnan et al. 2014; constipation, Abbasi et al. 2010), Coriandrum sativum as a carminative (carminative, No. of No. of Adnan et al. 2014; carminative and for indigestion, Family Name FIV species informants Tariq et al. 2015), Cucumis sativus for constipation Apiaceae 7 93 46.5 (cooling, diuretic, tonic, vermifuge, diuretic and purgative, Marwat et al. 2009), Cuminum cyminum Amaranthaceae 1 13 6.5 as an appetizer (stomach problem, Huassain and Asteraceae 6 75 37.5 Ghani, 2008), Daucus carota as a stomachic Berberidaceae 1 54 27 (regulate menstruation, Muhammad and Khan, Brassicaceae 2 19 9.5 2008; carminative and for dysentery, Jan et al. Capparidaceae 1 16 8 2008), Ephedra gerardiana for gastric problem (joint Caryophyllaceae 1 15 7.5 pain, Noor et al. 2014; rheumatism and respiratory disorders, Bano et al. 2014; asthma and Chenopodiaceae 1 36 18 tuberculosis, Shinwari and Gilani, 2003) Ferula Convolvulaceae 1 32 16 narthex as a stomachic (cough, asthma, toothache, Cucurbitaceae 1 25 12.5 gastric problems and anti-constipation, Shinwari and Ephedraceae 1 31 15.5 Gilani, 2003), Foeniculum vulgare was used as Lamiaceae 3 61 30.5 stomachic (stomach-ache, Bano et al. 2014; bronchitis and abdominal pain, Sher et al. 2016; Malvaceae 2 23 11.5 carminative, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, Moracaeae 1 23 11.5 stomachic, Shah et al. 2016), Hordeum vulgare as a Plantaginaceae 1 37 18.5 stomachic and for indigestion (cathartic and Poaceae 5 58 29 purgative, Shah and Khan, 2006; jaundice, Khan et al. 2011), Lactuca sativa as an appetizer (blood Polygonaceae 1 11 5.5 purification, Adnan et al. 2014; skin diseases, Rosaceae 5 62 31 syphilis and rheumatism, Shah and Khan, 2006), Solanaceae 1 37 18.5 Malva neglecta to cure constipation (stomach pain, Violaceae 1 33 16.5 Tariq et al. 2015; boils, bitter mouth feel, Vitaceae 1 13 6.5 constipation, expulsion of retained placenta, Shah et al. 2016), Matricaria chamomilla used as stomachache and indigestion (for wounds and Comparison with previously publish work rheumatic pain, Bano et al. 2014), Mentha arvensis In the present work Abelmoschus esculentus was for stomachache (antiemetic, carminative, reported to be used for dysentery and the same plant stomachic, fat burner, hyperacidity, bitter mouth feel, was reported by Akhtar et al. (2013) used as cough suppressant, cooling, diarrhea, toothache, emollient, demulcent and diuretic. We reported Shah et al. 2016; emollient, aperient, demulcent, Artemisia absinthium to be used as stomachic, while Shah and Khan, 2006), Mentha longifolia for the plant was documented to treat tuberculosis and stomach ache (anti-stomachache and carminative, cough, Kayani et al. (2014), and for skin problems Barkatullah et al. 2015; cholera, diarrhea and and itching, Bano et al. (2014). Berberis vulgaris was vomiting, Abbasi et al. 2010), Mentha spicata as a found to treat dyspepsia in our study, while reported stomachic, appetizer and for dyspepsia as stomachic, Shah et al. (2016). Similarly, Capparis (stomachache and carminative, diarrhea and spinosa was documented, us as stomachic, while it dysentery, Jan et al. 2008; dyspepsia and was used against malaria in the study of Sher et al. carminative Hazrat et al. 2011), Morus nigra for (2016), and for joint pain, Bano et al. (2014). We dyspepsia (analgesic, Adnan et al. 2014; anti- found Carum carvi to be used for stomachache, stomachache, Barkatullah et al. 2015), Nasturtium while Bano et al. (2014) reported its uses for gastric officinale used to cure dyspepsia (febrifuge and anti- problems, sore throat, and rheumatism and Sher et stomachache, Barkatullah et al. 2015; purgative and al. (2016) reported its use for stomachache and emetic, Sher et al. 2011), Plantago major used for indigestion. In our study we reported Carum constipation and diarrhea (cool and wash the mouth, copticum for diarrhea (dysentery, Tariq et al. 2015), Adnan et al. 2014; wound healing and laxative, Chenopodium album as a laxative (appetite and Barkatullah et al. 2015; laxative, dysentery and abdominal pain, Ullah et al. 2013) Cichorium intybus mouth diseases, Jan et al. 2008), Prunus armeniaca for vomiting (gastrointestinal problems, Bano et al. used as remedy for constipation (carminative, 2014; aphrodisiac and cooling, Barkatullah et al. appetizer and help control stomach acidity, Khan and 2015) Convolvulus arvensis for treatment of Ahmad, 2015; anticancer, Akhter et al. 2013), Pyrus

Published: 19 October 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.18.32.1-18 Ethnobotany Research and Applications 14 malus as stomac, to lower uric acid, blood pressure Table 5. Informant consensus factor (ICF) of and rheumatism problems in the community (as tonic medicinal plants for various digestive disorders to invigorating the body and strengthen bones, classes

Ishtiaq et al. 2012; to potent vigor, blood purifier, anti- cardiovascular diseases, Ishtiaq et al. 2015). Rosa Disease Category nt nur ICF alba was used as stomachic (lowering blood Appetizer 4 31 0.90 glucose, Ahmad et al. 2009), Rosa webbiana as Carminative 2 43 0.97 stomachic, to cure piles (Barkatullah et al. 2015); as stomachic (Ullah et al. 2013) for fever, cough and Constipation 6 76 0.93 sore throat (Khan and Khatoon, 2007), Rubus Diarrhea 3 32 0.93 fruticosus as carminative, diarrhea and looseness of Dysentery 1 21 1.00 intestine, reported as aphrodisiac and carminative Dyspepsia 5 69 0.94 (Barkatullah et al. 2015); for diarrhea (Jan et al. Gastric problem 3 44 0.95 2008), Solanum nigrum as a stomachic (jaundice and blood purification, Mahmood et al. 2011b; skin Laxative 5 51 0.92 inflammation and against fever, Akhtar et al. 2013), Stomachache 18 82 0.79 Taraxacum officinale for constipation (analgesic and Vomiting 1 29 1.00 astringent, Shah and Khan, 2006; jaundice, Abbasi Intestinal Disorder 1 9 1.00 et al. 2010), Viola rupestris used as astringent and purgative (chest infection, Ahmad et al. 2016), Vitis Nur = Total number of reports of the use category in vinifera for gastric problems (common cold, relax inquiry body and brain, stomach diseases, Marwat et al. Nt = Total number of species used in this category 2009; carminative, Adnan et al. 2014), and Zea mays used as stomachic (diabetes, Ahmad et al. 2004; Conclusions Kidney stones, Akhtar and Begum, 2009; kidney This work was conducted to document how local stones and inflammation of urinary system, communities of Laspur Valley, Pakistan treat DDs Mahmood et al. 2004). with medicinal plant species. A total of 44 therapeutic

plant species belonging to 21 families was found to The most versatile medicinal family be used to treat one or more DDs. After literature To find out the most versatile medicinal family, review, to the best of our knowledge, many Family Importance Value (FIV) was used (Table 4). medicinally important plants were documented for In the present work the most important family on the the first time from Pakistan: Amaranthus cruentus, basis of medicinal value was Apiaceae with FIV Artemisia bigelovii, Hordeum distichon, Lepidium value (46.5) followed by Asteraceae (37.5), ruderale, Lepyrodiclis holosteoides, Panicum Rosaceae (31) and Lamiaceae (30.5). Familiarity miliaceum, Pennisetum typhoideum, and Rumex Index (FI) values demonstrated high proportion of longifolius. Similarly, in this work some plants were recurrence of Coriandrum sativum referred by the reported for the first time to cure DDs, such as, native informants, though, Consensus Index CI Abelmoschus esculentus which was reported to be showed agreement on the significance of used for dysentery, Artemisia absinthium used as Coriandrum sativum as a vital, well-known stomachic, Berberis vulgaris to treat dyspepsia, and therapeutic plant utilized in the study area to cure others, such as Capparis spinosa, Cucumis sativus, DDs. Ephedra gerardiana, Lactuca sativa, Matricaria

chamomilla, Pyrus malus, Rosa alba, Solanum Medicinal importance of plants used to treat DDs nigrum, Taraxacum officinale, and Zea mays. The In the study we recorded 49 different DDs and those population of the study area clearly holds different were grouped into 11 different aliments/conditions ethnomedicinal knowledge from other regions in (Table 5, Fig. 4). Informant’s consensus on the Pakistan. usage of medicinal plants for DDs was elucidated through the ICF. The range of ICF has been from 0- 1 (Table 5). The ailment groups with maximum ICF Declarations are Dysentery, Vomiting and Intestinal Disorder (1.0 each), followed by Carminative (0.97), Gastric Abbreviations: problems (0.95), Dyspepsia (0.94 each), DD = Digestive disorder Constipation and Diarrhea (0.93 each) Laxative UV = Use Value (0.92), Appetizer (0.90) and Stomachache (0.79). FI = Familiarity Index FIV = Family Importance Value ICF = Informant Consensus Factor

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Abebe D, Ayehu A. 1993. Medicinal plants and Ethics approval and consent to participate: enigmatic health practices of Northern Ethiopia. Before conducting interviews, the individual prior B.S.P.E., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. informed consent was obtained from all participants. Adnan M, Ullah I, Tariq A, Murad W, Azizullah A, No further ethics approval was required. All work Khan AL, Ali, N. 2014. Ethnomedicine use in the war conducted was carried out under the stipulations of affected region of northwest Pakistan. Journal of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 10(1):16. Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Ahmad M, Khan MA, Arshad M, Zafar M. 2004. Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Ethnophytotherapical approaches for the treatment Convention on Biological Diversity. The right to use of diabetes by the local inhabitants of district Attock and authorship of any traditional knowledge of all (Pakistan). Ethnobotonical Leaflets. 1:7. participants is maintained, and any use of this information, other than for scientific publication, does Ahmad M, Khan MPZ, Mukhtar A, Zafar M, Sultana require additional prior consent of the traditional S, Jahan S. 2016. Ethnopharmacological survey on owners, as well as a consensus on access to medicinal plants used in herbal drinks among the benefits resulting from subsequent use. traditional communities of Pakistan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 184:154-186. Consent for publication: Not applicable – no Ahmad M, Qureshi R, Arshad M, Khan MA, Zafar M. personal data are included in this manuscript. 2009. Traditional herbal remedies used for the treatment of diabetes from district Attock (Pakistan). Funding: This study was no funding body for this Pakistan Journal of Botany. 41(6):2777-2782. research work. Akerreta S, Cavero RY, Calvo MI. 2007. First comprehensive contribution to medical ethnobotany Availability of data and materials of Western Pyrenees. Journal of Ethnobiology and The raw data without names of participants are Ethnomedicine. 3(1):26. available from the authors. Akhtar N, Begum S. 2009. Ethnopharmacological

important plants of Jalala, district Mardan, Pakistan. Author’s contributions Pakistan Journal of Plant Sciences. 15(2):95-100. SW and HAJ designed the study; SW conducted the fieldwork, SW and HAJ conducted the main Akhtar N, Rashid A, Murad W, Bergmeier E. 2013. statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript, SW, Diversity and use of ethno-medicinal plants in the HAJ and RWB revised the data analysis and the region of Swat, North Pakistan. Journal of manuscript; all authors read, corrected and approved Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 9(1):25. the manuscript. Ali H, Qaiser M. 2009. The ethnobotany of Chitral valley, Pakistan with particular reference to Competing financial interests: The authors medicinal plants. Pakistan Journal of Botany. declare that they have no competing financial 41(4):2009-2041. interest. Ayyanar M, Ignacimuthu S. 2005. Traditional knowledge of Kani tribals in Kouthalai of Tirunelveli Acknowledgements hills, Tamil Nadu, India. Journal of We are thankful to the local communities of Laspur Ethnopharmacology. 102(2):246-255. valley for participating in the field survey and Bano A, Ahmad M, Hadda TB, Saboor A, Sultana S, providing us the valuable information. Zafar M, Khan MPZ, Arshad M, Ashraf MA. 2014a. Quantitative ethnomedicinal study of plants used in Lierature cited the Skardu valley at high altitude of Karakoram- Abbasi AM, Khan MA, Ahmed M, Zafar M. 2010. Himalayan range, Pakistan. Journal of Ethnobiology Herbal medicines used to cure various ailments by and Ethnomedicine. 10(1):43. the inhabitants of Abbottabad district, North West Bano A, Ahmad M, Zafar M, Sultana S, Rashid S, Frontier Province, Pakistan. Indian Journal of Khan MA. 2014. Ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Traditional Knowledge. 9(1):175-183. most commonly used plants from Deosai Plateau, Abbasi AM, Khan MA, Shah MH, Shah MM, Pervez Western Himalayas, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. A, Ahmad M. 2013. Ethnobotanical appraisal and Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 155(2):1046-1052. cultural values of medicinally important wild edible Baral SR, Kurmi PP. 2006. Compendium of vegetables of Lesser Himalayas-Pakistan. Journal medicinal plants in Nepal. Mrs Rachana Publishers, Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 9(1):66. Kathmandu, Nepal, 2006. pp-534.

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